Exploring Extracurricular Horizons
However, often it is extracurricular initiatives and student organizations that help freshmen adapt to student life, make connections, and define their areas of interest. We spoke with Polina Chistova, a first-year student in the History of Art program, about her first year at the Higher School of Economics.
My name is Polina, though I prefer the simpler form, Polya. At 18 years old, I've already delved into a variety of pursuits. From volleyball and theater workshops to programming and animating at holiday agencies, even exploring biology—I've embraced a diverse range of experiences.
Recently completing my first year in History of Art at HSE in Moscow, my journey here has been rather intricate. Since the sixth grade, my aspirations oscillated between psychology and neurobiology, fascinated by memory, emotions, and aiding others. Yet, opting for preparing and succeeding at the All-Russian School Olympiad on World Art Culture over the standard Unified State Exam preparation was a pivotal decision that led me to where I am today.
Art history, surprisingly, intertwines seamlessly with my passion for understanding human psychology. Our studies emphasize how various art forms provoke and shape emotional responses in viewers. Complementing this, my minor in psychology at HSE enriches my perspective, fostering a comprehensive approach to both disciplines.
However, my true calling lies in connecting with children - a lifelong dream of mine. Whether as a teacher, educator, or pediatrician, my focus has gravitated towards nurturing and guiding young minds, culminating in my current pursuit of camp counseling.
Does studying art history contribute to this path? Absolutely. While not directly related to fields like design or risk management, my program fuels creativity through textual analysis, museum visits, and hands-on workshops. Recently, at a graphic art seminar held at GES-2, I had the opportunity to create linocuts, honing practical artistic skills essential for engaging with children in a camp setting.
In essence, my diverse interests converge harmoniously, guided by a profound appreciation for both art and psychology. This convergence not only enriches my academic journey but also reaffirms my commitment to finding meaningful connections across disciplines.
My journey into extracurricular activities began with the "Volunteer School" in November of 2023. The first two months of my studies passed in a blur as I immersed myself completely in academics. Yet, I soon realized this focus didn't entirely fulfill me, prompting me to seek new avenues.
In high school, I was an enthusiastic volunteer at the municipal level and participated in major festivals. Unfortunately, by the middle of 11th grade, the demands of preparing for the Unified State Exam and competitions forced me to step back from these roles. It was precisely on the deadline day for applications that I stumbled upon "Volunteer School," hopeful it would reintroduce me to HSE's vibrant volunteer community and reignite my passion for volunteering.
Speaking about "Volunteer School" itself could fill endless conversations - it truly felt like my first love in the realm of extracurriculars, an experience I won't forget. However, there's a bittersweet twist: due to academic pressures, my return to full-scale volunteering remains postponed. Yet, I remain optimistic, believing that my best contributions still lie ahead. This journey profoundly aided my adaptation to university life and integration into student activities. I forged invaluable connections across all four HSE campuses, formed meaningful friendships, and gained not just motivation, but a definitive push towards my future extracurricular pursuits. Psychologically, it brought tremendous relief. As they say, the best relaxation comes from shifting one's focus - a maxim that proved profoundly true in my case!
At "Volunteer School," I met members of the student organization "HSE for Kids," with whom I quickly bonded and developed a keen interest unlike anything else in the past few years of my life. Quite literally, I began counting down the days until the selection process for our HSE Camp Counselor School. I didn't wait for the deadline—instead, I completed everything right away, in the first few hours. Then, I anxiously waited, minute by minute, for the selection results to be announced. The invitation came on December 31st, right on the New Year's Eve.
I could talk endlessly about this project - it feels like my first love in extracurricular activities, an experience I'd gladly dedicate a full interview to. For now, I earnestly invite everyone to try themselves in future seasons - it's guaranteed to be amazing!
I often joke that during my first year, I gathered all the "HSE scruples" because I also completed the HSE Curator School and now assist incoming freshmen in navigating both academic and extracurricular life. However, I believe they'll easily find their way in the academic environment, so my primary goal is to showcase the diversity of extracurricular activities, enabling them to find projects they love and where they can fully realize themselves as a complement to their higher education.
Now, my fondest memories from this academic year are mostly beyond the university but remain closely intertwined. These include our shared trips, celebrations, outings, and meetings that we organize with the friends I made through these projects.
Honestly, I thought for a while about what I would say in response to this question - maybe something like "well, it just happened." But after reflection, I realized my ideal formula for success is approximately as follows: setting priorities + healthy indifference + readiness to take responsibility for both.
All these "components" are deeply interconnected. I wouldn't advise anyone on setting priorities—it's a personal decision. Healthy indifference allows me not to chase top grades but rather often make choices favoring my extracurricular self-development. Meanwhile, the ability to take responsibility for decisions made ensures I don't let my educational results drop below a "good" grade. This mindset also enables me to consciously accept cases where "I could have done better" with dignity and without subsequent self-pressure—after all, It was my choice to create decorations rather than bury myself in books at the library!
Perhaps this doesn't align perfectly with time management because I often sacrifice sleep to meet deadlines everywhere and simultaneously. That's just who I am. It's not the best advice, but it works for me. To justify my routine, I make sure to have full weekends off every two weeks, disconnecting completely from social media and messaging apps. I take solo walks in the park or spend time with friends, focusing on clearing my mind and revitalizing. So far, this strategy suits me well in terms of both mental and physical well-being.
Choosing just one standout event from this academic year is incredibly difficult. This is unbelievably tough. There was the challenging third exam period which was passed successfully, during and after which we prepared a performance for the School of Camp Counselors' closing ceremony. Then there was the closing concert itself, and the instructional trips (but more on those later). Let me delve a bit more into the last project I completed - the School of Curators, specifically its culmination. At this gathering, we conducted an amazing team-building session with curators from my faculty, incorporating elements of a “ropes” course (EVK). The “ropes” course is a team-building complex with tactile and sometimes mentally challenging physical exercises. Its purpose is to help the group "feel" each other, break down communication barriers, and strengthen relationships. Over the past two months, from April to June, we've gotten to know each other, learned to work with both freshmen and each other. In general, we seem to have become friends. But such intense interaction, like the “ropes” course, is always very stressful and contributes greatly to emotional bonding. I've been through the “ropes” course several times with the School of Counselors and "HSE for Kids," and I just love this format. After the formal part, we simply went for a walk around Moscow in the evening, talked a lot, and it was a very good, easy, and pleasant pastime. And such moments have become many times more frequent in recent months thanks to extracurricular activities, more than in my entire previous life, probably. And all of them are infinitely valuable to me without exception.
What attracted me to camp counseling and curating? These roles allow me to fully embody my personality. They provide avenues for creativity, demand serious organizational and managerial skills, and, above all, emphasize care and support for others. In the realm of "HSE for Kids," it's encapsulated as loving and safeguarding—a fundamental principle guiding all my endeavors.
As a camp counselor, I recently completed a session at the Educational Center "Vzlet," working closely with olympiad students this spring. This place holds special significance for me, as "Vzlet" and Primakov School were my “launchpads” in high school. My deep affection for these institutions drew me back. My aspiration is to become a trusted friend and mentor to future generations of talented young people, guiding them along this challenging path, witnessing their bright-eyed enthusiasm and genuine interest. This summer, I look forward to participating in another session at a language camp. I'm curious to see how this experience will differ!
Extracurricular activities at HSE are exceedingly practical! This practical focus is precisely why coming here is worthwhile. Over the past year, I've refined my skills in first aid and management, delved into developmental psychology and conflict resolution, revisited acting and game technology, significantly sharpened my creative and critical thinking, and assumed leadership roles.
Speaking of practical benifits, modern employers highly value team players. I've previously mentioned our intense group work before each camp counseling session, and my curator role primarily revolves around teamwork (with colleagues and incoming freshmen who we aim to integrate). However, truly understanding what it means to be part of a team that effectively tackles real tasks was facilitated by instructional outings with "HSE for Kids." From crafting scripts, filming or editing content, drafting texts, designing visuals, brainstorming concepts, costumes, and decorations, to choreographing a dance in just an hour... Sometimes all this happens under tight deadlines, requiring us to consolidate efforts with other participants. It teaches collaboration, the art of compromise, fostering relationships with diverse individuals, and sheds light on both strengths and weaknesses. And the process of discovering and improving upon weaknesses is particularly rewarding!
Reflecting on everything, I can confidently say that this is just a condensed snapshot of all that I've lived through this year. My affection for my University runs deep, resonating with the wide variety of opportunities it has already unveiled for me and I have no doubts that much more lies ahead. My heartfelt wish is for everyone to discover their niche here as I have, making their university years truly exceptional and unforgettable!
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